Tungare recommended as St. Charles' economic development director

ST. CHARLES – Rita Tungare, director of St. Charles Community Development, has been recommended to fill the city's vacant position as director of the Community and Economic Development Department, according to a news release from the city.

The Planning and Development Committee is slated to review the recommendation this evening. Pending the committee's approval, the recommendation would go before the full City Council for consideration at its Dec. 16 meeting.

Should Tungare be appointed as director of the Community and Economic Development Department, she would be responsible for overseeing both the economic and community development functions, states the release. Upon council approval, the search would begin to fill a position for an Economic Development Division Manager.

If appointed, Tungare would replace Chris Aiston, who retired from his post as Economic Development Director in July.

Tungare assisted the city in rewriting its comprehensive plan, as well as managed many redevelopment projects including First Street, Lexington Club, Eastgate Commons and Charlestowne Mall, according to the reelase.

“The decision to recommend Rita for this position was made after careful consideration of many factors, including the requirements and responsibilities of these two important City functions,” City Administrator Mark Koenen said in the news release. “I have worked with Rita over her 13-plus years with the city and know she has the skills and abilities to lead the department into the future.”

Tungare has been with the city of St. Charles since 2000, when she started as a community planner. In 2001, she was promoted to senior planner and became assistant director of Community Development in 2006. She has held her position as director of Community Development since 2008.

Before working in St. Charles, Tungare worked as senior planner for the village of Addison.

She holds a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a master's degree in architecture from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Bombay, India. She is also accredited by the American Institute of Certified Planners.